The Van

A dutiful son (Eugene Cordero) spends a week moving his eclectic elderly father (Raul Aranas) out of the only home he’s ever known in America. When his father says he won’t leave unless he gets to take his broken down 1986 Toyota Van with him, something he’d much rather leave behind, things get worse. Left with no choice, the son hires a mechanic to fix the van, but finds that what’s really broken is the relationship between himself and his father; a relationship that has been non-existent since the passing of his mother. The son wants his father to move in with his new family and move on with his life, but letting go is easier said than done.

Directed by Bernard Badion, The Van leans on a strong ensemble — Eugene Cordero, Raul Aranas, Lydia Gaston — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 2023.